Gold colors

In the jewelry world, pure 24 karat gold is rarely used because it is too soft. To make it stronger and more durable, it has to be mixed with other materials. In this way, depending on the amount of pure gold and the metal of the alignment, one color or another will be obtained.

 

What colors of gold are there?

 

 

In Spain, the usual proportion in gold jewelry is 75% gold and 25% other metal, resulting in 18 carat gold. Now, rose gold and white gold jewelry are trending and are combined with precious gems such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. Surely there are more colors of gold than you expected to know. Here is a list of all of them and how to obtain each one of them.

 

1. Yellow gold

The yellower the gold, the purer it is. This metal, as found in nature, is 24 karat and is exclusively of this color. As we have already mentioned, in Spain 18 karat gold is used for jewelry, but in the USA or India, for example, more work is done with pure gold.

If it is alloyed with silver, the color of the gold will be less intense because it will have fewer carats.

 

2. White gold

This color is obtained by mixing pure gold with a white metal, which can be nickel, manganese, palladium or silver. The alloy with nickel makes a resistant and durable jewelry, especially for rings and brooches, but it can cause allergies to many people and care must be taken. On the other hand, mixing it with palladium makes it softer and the stones fit better. According to jewelers, the perfect alloy is 92% pure 22 carat gold, 5% pure palladium and 3% pure silver to get that famous white hue of engagement rings.

 

3. Rose gold

This gold color is one of the most desired in jewelry and is achieved by mixing gold with copper and silver. Specifically, 92% pure 22 carat gold, 2% pure silver and 6% pure copper.

 

4. Red gold

The difference between red gold and rose gold is the amount of copper used in the alloy. In this case, 75% pure 18 karat gold, 23% pure copper and 2% pure silver are used. Moreover, sometimes silver is not even used to achieve a redder tone.

 

5. Green gold

This luminous shade is obtained with 75% pure 18-karat gold, 23% copper and 2% cadmium. For a more intense green, we are talking about 75% pure gold, 15% pure silver, 6% pure copper and 4% pure cadmium. This last metal can also cause allergies, as can nickel.

 

6. Blue gold

Jewelers keep well the components and percentages of this gold color. It is said to be achieved with 75% pure 18 karat gold with 25% iron. It is also possible to alloy 46% pure 11 karat gold with 54% pure indium, although this metallic blue is very fragile. For a lighter shade and greater hardness, 58% pure 14 karat gold can be mixed with 42% gallium.

 

7. Purple gold

This special and unique shade is achieved by mixing a type of aluminum. But it is rarely used in jewelry because it is very fragile and can be broken by any blow. But it is widely used for small details in jewelry combined with other stronger types of gold.

 

8. Gray gold

This white gold-like color is obtained by mixing pure gold with palladium, silver, manganese and copper. It is often used for jewelry with a modern design.

 

9. Black gold

Last but not least, among the many colors of gold is black. It can be achieved in several ways: with a black rhodium plating (sometimes also with carbon), with a sulfur and oxygen coating, with an oxidation by chromium or cobalt or with laser treatment and nanostructures on the surface. More and more jewelry in this elegant color is becoming available, and the best way to wear it is with black diamonds or very brilliant diamonds.

 

Which color of gold do you like the most?